Far more graphic surveillance video from Forum Restaurant, including survivor Marc Fucarile on fire, was also shown in court but not released publicly. The decision to keep some video under wraps has pitted victims' rights against the First Amendment.

Liz Norden could clearly see her sons JP and Paul Norden as she watched the video in court.

"I saw my boys on the ground. You could see it plain as day. Their legs were missing," Norden said. "I saw one of their friends on fire. It was horrible."

Fucarile has never seen the video and tells WCVB's Kelley Tuthill it should stay out of public view so his young son never sees it either. Norden agrees.

"I think the victims should be able to see it and for them to decide," Norden said.

In an email, a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney said graphic images have been withheld in "order to protect victims' privacy and dignity and safeguard their emotional and psychological welfare."

"Unfortunately and sadly this time it's not about the victims," said Emily Rooney, the host of WGBH's Beat the Press. The local and network TV veteran calls this overreach by the US Attorney.

"It's one thing to ask us to use it with caution and carefully," Rooney said. "It's another thing to say that you can't have it. It was shown in open court."

ABC, NBC, CBS and CNN have filed a motion asking the judge to release all exhibits. Their attorney, Jonathan Albano, argued this case is of great interest in Massachusetts, nationally and beyond.

"The vast majority of those people cannot attend the trial to observe the evidence for themselves," Albano wrote to Judge George O'Toole.

"This creates a very difficult question for him," said WCVB Legal Analyst Martha Coakley. "But I think in general the public will get to see exhibits unless the judge makes the determination that the prejudice to either the defendant or the victims is just so high."